To establish a Joint Autonomy Office in the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (9 May 2023): Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
What this bill does
H.R. 3168 would direct the Secretary of Defense to create a new "Joint Autonomy Office" within the Department of Defense, to be established within 120 days of enactment. The office would be led by a Director with technical and management expertise, and its job would be to coordinate and speed up the development, testing, and fielding of autonomous systems—such as robotic vehicles, uncrewed aircraft, and surface vessels—across the military. The bill grants the office special hiring authorities, broad access to existing defense datasets, and limited contracting powers. It also requires development of a Department-wide framework for classifying levels of autonomy and human control, and a follow-on plan for integrating autonomous capabilities into current and future weapons systems. The office would automatically terminate after seven years unless the Secretary extends it. The bill authorizes $55 million for fiscal year 2024.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, its acquisition programs, and the military services that develop and operate autonomous systems. It would also affect defense contractors working on autonomous technologies, since the office could enter into contracts with private-sector firms. Congress would receive multiple required briefings and reports on the office's progress, funding gaps, and classification framework.
The bill was introduced on May 9, 2023, by Rep. Robert Wittman and referred to the House Armed Services Committee. It has not received a vote, and no further congressional action is recorded.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Joint Autonomy Office to coordinate and accelerate the delivery of all-domain autonomous systems to operational users. Under the bill, an autonomous system means a system with the ability to conduct integrated sensing, perception, communication, decision-making, and action within specific boundaries and independently from a human operator's instruction.
The office may contract with private sector entities to aid and facilitate the execution of its duties. DOD must brief Congress on the status of the office not later than 90 days after the enactment of this bill.
The office must establish a department-wide classification framework for autonomous capabilities. The office must regularly reassess and update the framework to ensure it incorporates recent developments in technology, standards, and operational requirements relating to autonomous capabilities. The office must brief Congress on the results of the reassessments and any resulting revisions.
Additionally, the office must develop and implement a plan and procedures to standardize the planning, resourcing, and integration efforts with respect to autonomous capabilities for current and future systems across DOD.
Timeline
9 May 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3168 do?
- H.R. 3168 would direct the Secretary of Defense to create a new "Joint Autonomy Office" within the Department of Defense, to be established within 120 days of enactment. The office would be led by a Director with technical and management expertise, and its job would be to coordinate and speed up the development, testing, and fielding of autonomous systems—such as robotic vehicles, uncrewed aircraft, and surface vessels—across the military. The bill grants the office special hiring authorities, broad access to existing defense datasets, and limited contracting powers. It also requires development of a Department-wide framework for classifying levels of autonomy and human control, and a follow-on plan for integrating autonomous capabilities into current and future weapons systems. The office would automatically terminate after seven years unless the Secretary extends it. The bill authorizes $55 million for fiscal year 2024. The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, its acquisition programs, and the military services that develop and operate autonomous systems. It would also affect defense contractors working on autonomous technologies, since the office could enter into contracts with private-sector firms. Congress would receive multiple required briefings and reports on the office's progress, funding gaps, and classification framework. The bill was introduced on May 9, 2023, by Rep. Robert Wittman and referred to the House Armed Services Committee. It has not received a vote, and no further congressional action is recorded.
- Has H.R. 3168 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3168. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3168?
- H.R. 3168 was sponsored by Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3168?
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. (9 May 2023).
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